Sawgrass Recreation Park Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Sawgrass Recreation Park. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Private Tour: Florida Everglades Airboat Ride and Wildlife Adventure

• Florida Everglades Night Airboat Tour Near Fort Lauderdale

• Miami Combo: Everglades, Boat Cruise, and Open-Top Bus Tour

• Florida Everglades Airboat Adventure and Wildlife Encounter

• Everglades Airboat, Wildlife Encounter, & Round-trip Bus From Miami

Most travelers visit the private Sawgrass Recreation Park on Everglades airboat tours, which typically start at US$30 and include access to the park’s reptile exhibit. Shared airboat excursions with transportation from Miami cost more, starting at US$50, while private boat rides through the marsh go for upwards of US$140.

Yes, Sawgrass Recreation Park is worth visiting. You can't miss the famous Florida Everglades while visiting Fort Lauderdale, and Sawgrass Recreation Park—just half an hour away—offers airboat rides that show you the wetlands' wildlife, from alligators to herons, in their natural habitat. Guided tours are the best way to learn about the Everglades' complex ecosystem, and they often include additional perks, such as round-trip transportation from Miami and the chance to see gators up close at the park's reptile sanctuary.

Per one customer who booked the Florida Everglades Airboat Adventure and Wildlife Encounter, "Amazing experience! Captain Jack was the best! He was fun and informative about the Everglades and the animals we saw. Tickets were easily accessible online, check in went smooth and the airboat ride was a lot of fun. After, we went to the reptile section and were able to learn more about the gators and crocodiles. At the end we were able to hold a baby gator which was my fav part of the event. 10/10 recommend. Great for all ages also."

Sawgrass Recreation Park started as a fishing camp in the 1950s, and then evolved into an airboat attraction in the 1970s. Today, it’s one of the top airboat attractions in South Florida. In 2005, it expanded to include a 50+ animal reptile exhibit to further educate visitors on Florida’s diverse ecosystem.

The Everglades is a wild, uncontrolled ecosystem, so there are chances that certain animals may not be visible during a ride. However, most visitors should expect to see endemic wildlife such as alligators, birds, fish, snakes, and turtles. In the reptile exhibit, there are alligators, turtles, and snakes in captivity.

Bug spray and sunscreen are recommended because the airboats are open-air vessels. It’s a good idea to dress for sun exposure, which means hats and clothing that is breathable and UV protective. If you need to bring luggage, there’s luggage storage available that you can call ahead and reserve.

No, there are no height restrictions for going on an airboat tour or visiting the exhibits at Sawgrass Recreation Park. There are no age restrictions, either, though ear plugs are recommended and children under 7 must wear a life jacket when riding. Also, keep in mind the airboats have limited accessibility.

The airboat tours at Sawgrass Recreation Park range in duration depending on which type of tour you choose to book. There are two categories of tours—private and general. General tours may last 30 to 40 minutes, while private tours can last 40, 60, 90, or 120 minutes.

The airboat tours are the main attraction at Sawgrass Recreation Park, but there are other activities available, including camping and fishing. You can opt for one package that features an airboat ride and admission to the animal sanctuary. Another standalone option is a private reptile exhibit tour without an airboat ride.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Sawgrass Recreation Park. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in and around Fort Lauderdale:

• Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale

• Historic Stranahan House Museum

• Fort Lauderdale Beachfront

• Las Olas Boulevard

• Intracoastal Waterway Fort Lauderdale

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Fort Lauderdale.